Ren DeGaris

Renfrey Curgenven De Garis AM (12 October 1921 – 5 February 2007), generally known as "Ren DeGaris", was a businessman, pastoralist and politician in the State of South Australia.^[1]

History

He was born at "Tremorvah", Millicent, a son of Ralph Edwin DeGaris and Mrs DeGaris née Curgenven.

On leaving college,^[2] he worked for the Millicent branch of the family firm of DeGaris, Sons & Co., (in 1947 merged into Elder, Smith and Co.)^[3] stock and station agents of Naracoorte.

He enlisted with the RAAF in 1941. His younger brother William Sowden DeGaris, also with the RAAF, was killed over Germany in 1945.^[4]

He served as councillor with the Millicent District Council from 1948 to 1954.

He was elected in December 1962 for the Liberal and Country League (Liberal Party) to a Southern district seat in the Legislative Council, and remained a member, through the reversion in 1975 of that House to a single constituency, until November 1985. He served as Chief Secretary, Minister for Health and Minister for Mines from April 1968 to June 1970.^[5] As Leader of the Legislative Council, he clashed with Premier Steele Hall, a fellow Liberal, over the latter's plan to reform the franchise of the Upper House, a move that severely disadvantaged his own party's gerrymander.^[6][7]

Recognition

He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in June 1981 "In recognition of service to the community and to parliament and government".^[8]

Family

He married Norma Florence Willson, of Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island, around 1950.